About the EAIG

Contents

Mission

Promote the advancement of architecture to implement strategy, manage change, and achieve value.

Benefits to Members

Continued networking & support from EA professionals that are SERIOUS about Enterprise Architecture

Eased communication within the EAIG Network

EA language barriers will be minimized

Choice of discussing approaches with members in and outside of a specific industry

Development of commonly needed EA artifacts will be more cost effective

Research

Creation

Testing/Improvement in many environments to recognize potential problems

Ability to implement a formal knowledge exchange between members (I.e. share deliverables between members)

Steer Vendor/Provider activity to drive EA where the INDUSTRY needs it to go

Operating Principles

Basic Framework Principle - Our work will include the study and guidance for multiple enterprise architecture frameworks, as well as reference models to provide our members maximum value. We will adopt the Zachman Enterprise Architecture Framework as our base framework and treat all other frameworks of interest as composites or derivations from the base framework's primitive models.

Best Practice Principle - In reviewing various EA work, models and artifacts we will establish best practices by capturing the essential, common and accepted techniques that have been utilized, demonstrated and documented in multiple successful EAs.

Standards Principle - EAIG will attempt, by general consensus of its members, to standardize various aspects of EA where the benefits of doing so outweigh the potential advancement restrictions and or growth potential for the profession or practices. We will adopt other standards (IEEE, ANSI) where practical rather than creating competing standards.

Diversity Principle - EAIG will seek to establish representation diversity across its projects and working groups such that all parties are represented and get input, to the extent feasible. This would include at a minimum business, government and academic views.

Coordination and Non-conflict Principle - EAIG will coordinate with related professional organizations and avoid, to the maximum extent feasible, overlap with those professional areas and bodies of knowledge. This would include such professional areas as project management that, while related to or required for successful EA, is already well formed and established. In certain of these bodies, EAIG will attempt formal coordination to have EA Practices included and/or recognized. This may also involve supporting the development of the language, standards or practice, as necessary for their inclusion or recognition.

Common Body of Knowledge Principle - The EAIG will establishe the Common Body of Knowledge (CBK) for EA, and use it as the reference set from which all other processes, methods, frameworks, models, artifacts or other EA facets (being researched, reviewed or are before the EAIG for endorsement or other purposes) will be judged, evaluated or assessed. The Zachman Framework is the initial item proposed for inclusion in the CBK.

Collaboration Principle - When and where feasible, the EAIG and its members acting in committees and working groups will collaborate with and/or use academic members to research EAIG projects and programs.

EA Taxonomy Principle - Early on, the EAIG will support the establishment of an ordered and organized taxonomy of EA areas, subjects, types, subtypes and so forth, that will be used to classify all EAIG projects, programs, processes, products, activities and information. All EAIG documents and products will feature the appropriate references to this taxonomy. If necessary, the taxonomy will be expanded or amended to encompass new items that may not fit. A large part of this taxonomy is expected to be identified by Zachman Framework cells.

Objectives

To promote a Common Reference for Enterprise Architecture as the key mechanism to forge and sustain the co-operative involvement, partnership and alignment of Business and Information Technology interests.

To drive the development, publication, continuous improvement, and support for recommendations designed to realize the Common Reference for Enterprise Architecture. This includes but is not limited to, reference assets such as: